ArtsBuild Hosts ABC Grant Workshop

Application Orientation Set For June 4

Thursday, May 16, 2013

ArtsBuild will host an ABC Grant orientation workshop on Tuesday, June 4, at 4 p.m. The orientation will take place at the ArtsBuild office, 406 Frazier Ave. Attendees will review guidelines and receive tips for applying for the newly reinstated Tennessee Arts Commission grant program.

The ABC grant program is designed to provide support for arts projects that broaden access to arts experiences, address community quality of life issues through the arts, and enhance the sustainability of asset-based cultural experiences. Organizations with 501 (c)(3) nonprofit status are eligible to apply for grant awards that will range from $500 to $2,000.

“During the year that the ABC program was on hiatus, the Commission received overwhelming feedback from past grant recipients and community members statewide about the value of the program,” says Anne Pope, executive director of the Tennessee Arts Commission. “It reinforced our understanding about how important ABC has been in helping local communities preserve and grow their cultural assets.”

“ABC grants provide innovative arts experiences that are new or unfamiliar to community residents, and allow for the development of arts programming that strengthens social networks through community engagement,” says Shannon Ford, director of community arts development for the Commission. “ABC grants also offer training for emerging artists and arts administrators to develop entrepreneurial skills or innovative strategies for building sustainability.”

Applications must be submitted online through the Tennessee Arts Commission’s eGrant system by 4:30 p.m. (CT) on July 1. The ABC online application can be accessed beginning at 8 a.m. (CT) on May 31 at www.tn.gov/arts. Once there, scroll over “Grants” on the left side of the home page, and click on the eGrant button to access the ABC application. Faxed, mailed, or hand delivered applications will not be accepted. Funded programs should be scheduled to take place between Aug. 16 and June 15, 2014.

Prior to submitting an application, qualifying organizations should discuss the program or project proposal with Rodney Van Valkenburg at ArtsBuild. The Tennessee Arts Commission has designated ArtsBuild to administer the ABC grants for Hamilton County.

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